West Virginia coach faces pressure as team seeks victory

In the state of West Virginia, on November 28, 2024, the college football teams from West Virginia and Texas Tech are preparing for their Big 12 regular-season finale. As both teams enter this game with a record of 6-5 for West Virginia and 7-4 for Texas Tech, they are clinging to slim hopes of reaching the Big 12 championship game. The stakes are high for West Virginia, as coach Neal Brown's job security is in jeopardy, and winning this match could bolster his argument to remain at the helm of the team. Brown’s team has the opportunity to finish strong, going for a perfect 4-0 record on the road in conference play, which would be a significant accomplishment considering their season's difficulties. The key matchup in this game will feature Texas Tech's quarterback Behren Morton against West Virginia's pass defense. Morton has recently performed outstandingly, completing 37 of 53 passes for 404 yards and four touchdowns in a previous game against Oklahoma State. He has amassed a total of 25 touchdown passes this season, albeit with seven interceptions. In contrast, the Mountaineers have struggled with their pass defense, often allowing long plays due to blown coverages. In terms of individual players, Jacob Rodriguez from Texas Tech stands out as he leads the Big 12 with 112 total tackles, including a remarkable record of seven games with double-digit tackles this season. Along with two noteworthy plays against Oklahoma State, he recovered a fumble for a touchdown and secured a game-clinching interception. On the other side of the ball, West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene has had a challenging season as the top rushing quarterback in the Big 12, highlighting his strengths but facing issues with his passing game, which features a 55.5% completion rate. As both teams prepare to meet, they are also aware of the implications for bowl eligibility, with West Virginia qualifying for the postseason for the fourth time in coach Brown's six seasons and Texas Tech achieving bowl eligibility for the third consecutive year under coach Joey McGuire. The outcome of this match is significant not only for the immediate standings but also for the future of the coaching positions, particularly under Brown's uncertain status.